Some movie projects orbit the edges of entertainment news in a seemingly endless cycle of vague updates, pre-production rumors, and innumerable creative hand-offs. These ephemeral properties don't seem to inhabit Development Hell as much as they do Development Purgatory.

A prime example of these whispered-of but little-seen ghost-projects is the classic video game adaptation Asteroids. Announced three years ago, Asteroids immediately gained a reputation as another instance of Hollywood scraping the bottom of the creative barrel. After years of vague plot reports and script changes, it appears that the production has taken on yet another writer: scripter Jez Butterworth.

According to a short article published by Variety, the Asteroids film adaptation has signed Jez Butterworth to revise and restructure the film's existing screenplay. The movie's script was previously tackled by Matt Lopez (Race to Witch Mountain) and Evan Spiliotopoulos (Wanted 2). Asteroids has always been the pet project of producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, one of the major producers behind the Transformers series.

The acquisition of Butterworth to rework the Asteroids script may be a coup for the production. Butterworth has more experience in scripting than either of his predecessors, having written screenplays for The Last Legion and Fair Game. He also has experience as a director and actor. Whether he channeled this experience into a workable Asteroids script is, as ever, up in the air.

'Asteroids' has seen numerous graphical updates over the years.

An undeniable limbo project, Asteroids has spent years as an "upcoming release" with no clear timetable for production. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura gave a brief description of an early plotline, saying that it involves, "…two estranged brothers that must team up to save Earth from an alien race." Despite insisting that a "strong, deep mythology" has been built for the film, one can only imagine that the number of changes in writers and scripts reflects the difficulty of "adapting" a video game that literally dates from the first days of the medium. The Asteroids production seems to share more than a few traits with Battleship– which is to say that a completely plotless IP is going to be used to sell a generic special effects extravaganza.

That said, the upgrade to a more experienced writer may allow Asteroids to rise above its rather hollow beginnings. Also, the lack of solid source material can be as much of a boon as it is a hindrance. If the film actually does follow up on the promise of a rich mythos, it could transcend its arcade cabinet origins and become a fun new science fiction property. One can only hope that the movie will be more than two-and-a-half hours of exploding space rocks.

If you're in the mood to immerse yourself in an off-the-grid adventure in Penang, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang or Penang National Park is a must-visit. Occupying a size less than 3 hectares on the north-western tip of Penang island, it is the smallest national park in the world. I had been in-and-out no less than a couple times when it was still known as Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve.
This national park is truly one of Penang's greatest eco-tourism asset - a natural resource to trumpet on its wondrous natives from mangroves, wetlands, mudflats to a bizarre geographical characteristic - meromictic lake. Aside from Jellyfish Lake in Palau and Zigetangcuo Lake in Tibet, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang Pantai Kerachut is one of the three spots in Asia to witness a natural meromictic lake - a spot that has layers of unmixed water for years, decades, or even centuries! Amazingly, this one that sits adjacent to Pantai Kerachut (Kerachut Beach) is a seasonal meromitic lake unlike Dead Sea - the world's famous meromitic lake that is permanently filled up, 365 days every year. If you happen to arrive during the change of monsoon particularly in April to May or October to November, this exact spot is full of water, whilst the other time of the year, the so-called meromictic lake is dry like a land of Savannah. In the past, the entrance was very brief - just like a backyard into woods. Today, the same place is a total face-lift. You can see a Taman Negara Pulau Pinang office built on stilts at the cul-de-sac. Parking bays are aplenty within the premise of Fishery Office on the opposite. We were charged RM3 per entry. If you choose public transport, hop on Rapid Penang 101 as this bus takes you right to the Penang National Park's visitor center. With boat agents, tour booths, this spot is precisely more touristy. Visitor's center is next to the office, sit a few steps from the waterfront adjacent to the stone arch entrance. Unlike most national parks in the world, you can explore Taman Negara Pulau Pinang Teluk Bahang at no cost. However to access the canopy walkway, an adult has to pay RM5, a child for RM3 and this activity is optional. Despite the flexibility, it is wise to sign-in and sign-off at which you can do it at the visitor center for safety reason. You can obtain the Taman Negara Pulau Pinang map and trail guide here. Bathrooms, surau, benches and a sink are also provided at this post.

Offering more than a handful of hiking trails, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang features two primary trails. The popular coastal trail leads to Muka Head light house at which one will pass Sungai Teluk Tukun, USM CEMAC, Teluk Aling Beach, Teluk Duyung or better known to many as Monkey Beach before the final destination - Rumah Api Muka Head. Total trekking distance is 4.7 km and it is estimated to about 1 hour 45 minutes for an averagely fit, consistent hiker. If you wish to view the unique meromitic lake, then take the Penang National Park's hiking trail (3.4 km one-way, estimated time: 1 hour 20 minutes) that leads to Kerachut Beach. Signposts are erected at forks and junctions, so look out for Pantai Kerachut or Teluk Kampi. Not a complex terrain, hiking trails are mostly easy to moderate, foliage and wild creatures to accompany in the woods until one arrives at Kerachut Beach. Beside turtle nesting sanctuary, Pantai Kerachut or fondly known as Turtle Beach provides the most complete facilities among all the sites including a campsite, shower/bathroom, a sizable sheltered hall and a jetty.

Did not find what you are looking for? Do a search...(Type what you are looking for in the textbox below)